Bhola
Pre-polls violence: 30 injured in Bhola
At least 30 people were injured as supporters of two chairman candidates clashed in Shibpur union of Bhola Sadar upazila.
The incident occurred on Thursday night as supporters of Awami League-backed chairman candidate Jasim Uddin and independent candidate Sirajul Islam Rakib at around 8 pm as the were holding ralies.
Read: AL activist killed in post-poll violence in Pabna
During the hour-long clash, supporters of both groups beat and hacked each other, vanalised houses and set fire to four election offices. Cocktail explosions occurred at Ratanpur and Santipur Bazar areas, said the locals.
Later, police and RAB brought the situation under control.
Both groups held each other responsible for the clash.
Read:UP-polls violence: 1 succumbs to injuries in Sirajganj, 1 arrested
Assistant Commissioner (Land) and executive magistrate Md Ali Shuja said that supporters of both groups have been removed from the streets and the situation is now under control. Legal action will be taken if any further attempts are made.
The fifth phase of the election in the union will be held on 5th January.
Farmer stabbed to death in Bhola
A farmer was allegedly stabbed to death over a property dispute in Rajapur union of Sadar Upazila on Tuesday.
The deceased was identified as Md Ruhul Amin Bepari, 57, a resident of ward no 7 under Rajapur union. Police have arrested a woman in connection with the murder.
According to police, Ruhul Amin had a feud with his relative Kasem Chowkidar over a property. The disputed land was in Ruhul's possession.
On Tuesday, Kasem, his wife and their sons attacked Ruhul, leaving him seriously injured.
Read: Narail: Gallows for one, life term for 3 in farmer's murder case
Hearing his screams, relatives rescued him and admitted to Bhola Sadar Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries in the evening.
"A police team, led by Ilisha police outpost in-charge Md Farid was sent to the spot," said officer-in-charge of Bhola police station Enayet Hossain.
Read: 15 injured in Narayanganj post-poll violence
Jubo League leader shot dead in Bhola
A local leader of Jubo League was allegedly shot dead by assailants in the Meghna river off the coast of Nasirmajhi in Sadar upazila of Bhola district on Friday.
The deceased was identified as Khorshed Alam Titu, 35, son of Tasir Ahmed of Kanai Nagar village under Dhania union.
Enayet Hossain, officer-in-charge of Sadar Police Station, said Khorshed, along with his associates, had gone to the house of newly elected chairman of Madanpur union, Nasir Uddin Nannu, on an invitation.
READ: Awami League activist shot dead in Bandarban
Later, when Khorshed and his supporters were heading towards Nasirmajhai on a boat, the assailants came on a speedboat and fired at him.
A critically injured Khorshed was taken to Sadar Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Khorshed’s followers alleged that the supporters of Socket Jamal, a defeated chairman candidate, were behind the attack. "Efforts are on to identify and nab the attackers,' the OC said.
READ: Man shot dead ‘by brother-in-law’ in city
5-yr-old raped by cousin in Bhola
A five-year-old girl has been allegedly raped by her cousin at Jahanpur union of Bhola's Char Fasson Upazila.
Police said Shamim, 18, a Madrasa student, raped the girl when he found her alone in the house as her grandmother went to the next room on Thursday morning. Shamim fled the scene when the girl started screaming.
Read: Raped by two, eighth grader ends life in Joypurhat
Later, the child was admitted to Char Fashion Hospital in critical condition.
Mizanur Rahman, Officer-in-charge of Char Fashion Shashibhushan Police Station, said a case has been filed against Shamim.
However, the accused has not been arrested yet. Efforts are underway to arrest the accused, the OC added.
Child's body recovered; 2 remain missing from trawler that drowned in Meghna
The body of a child was recovered but two others remain missing after a trawler sank in the Meghna river near South Char Fashion upazila of Bhola on Sunday.
The deceased was identified as Junayed, 3, while the trawler owner Swapan, 30, and his mother Bilkis Begum,50, remained missing, said police sources.
The trawler headed toward Kacchapia ghat from Char Patila drowned with nine passengers around 1 pm, said Abdul Hossain Mahajan, chairman of Char Kukri Mukri union.
Also read: 3 female students drowns in Turag, another missing
Of the passengers, six got rescued by nearby trawlers.
Immediately after the incident Char Manika contingent coast guard and Dakkhin Aicha station police started a rescue operation to find the missing passengers.
Also read: BRAC university student drowns in Cox’s Bazar
Due to hostile weather and rough waves the rescue operation is being hindered, said LS Abdullah Al Mamun, one of the Coast Guard members in the rescue team.
Robbers toss baby out of the house, rape woman in Bhola
Four men allegedly broke into a house in Sadar upazila and raped a 35-year-old woman after tossing her three-month-old baby out of the window.
The woman's only crime was that she took time to hand over the keys of the almirah to the robbers, police said.
Read:21-yr-old visiting maternal home raped in Sylhet
In her complaint, the woman claimed that the four men entered her house in a village in Sadar upazila around 2.30am on Wednesday when the family members were fast asleep.
The four woke her up and demanded the keys of the almirah. As she was taking time, they allegedly threw her baby girl out of the window into a pond adjacent to the house.
Later the four gagged the woman and took turns to rape her before decamping with cash and one tola gold, as per the complaint.
After the cops were alerted, a team from Sadar police station rushed to the spot and fished out the body of the baby from the pond.
Enayet Hossain, officer-in-charge of Sadar police station, said, “Four robbers barged into the house and violated the woman. The medical examination of the woman has confirmed rape."
A case of rape has been registered on a complaint filed by the house owner. "The baby's body has been sent to the local hospital morgue for an autopsy," the OC said.
"Efforts are also on to identify the perpetrators of the heinous crime," he added.
Read:Law to be reformed to protect dignity of rape victims: Minister
Bangladesh's rape epidemic
Sexual assaults on women continue unabated in Bangladesh, despite the government introducing death penalty for rapes last year.
A police headquarters report, released recently, said that 26,695 rape cases were filed across the country in the past five years.
Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) data shows that 1,018 children were raped last year alone, but only 683 police cases had been filed. Also, 116 survivors were six years old or below.
Overall, 1,627 rape cases were reported last year and 53 of the women were killed by the perpetrators while 14 took their own lives, as per the data.
However, ASK's data is just the tip of the iceberg, according to aid agencies, who report that most women are too afraid to report rape.
In October 2020, the country was rocked by protests after a woman was allegedly attacked and raped in Noakhali.
Read: Child rape and murder case accused arrested in Rangpur
In November last year, Bangladesh introduced capital punishment for rape, following days of protests against sexual violence against women in several cities across the country.
But human rights organisations say the move will not solve the country's rape crisis, as the survivors of the heinous crime are often stigmatised in the society
Bhola UP election violence leaves one dead
A man was killed in a clash between the supporters of two member candidates during voting at Hajirganj Union Parishad in Charfashion upazila of Bhola district on Monday.
The victim was identified as Munir Majhi, 25, son of Bashir Shikder of the village.
Read:By-election to Laxmipur-2, polls to 204 UPs, 2 municipalities underway
Mohammad Kaisar, superintendent of Bhola Police, said the clash broke out between the supporters of two member candidates -- Yasin Majhi and Ruhul Amin—in Charfakira area around 11 am.
There was a chase and counter chase during the clash.
At one stage, they exchanged gunshots, leaving Monir Majhi injured. He was taken to a local hospital where doctors declared him dead, said the SP.
Police fired shots in the air to bring the situation under control.
Besides, 10 people were injured in sporadic clashes at different polling stations.
Read:Assassination of UP candidate: Election candidates, local leaders in list of accused
“Voting at 12 Union Parishads (UPs) is underway almost peacefully,” said district election officer Alauddin Al Mamun.
The voting began at 8 am and will continue till 4 pm at 141 centres.
Huge voters thronged the polling centers braving rains to cast their votes.
People at different centres were seen casting votes ignoring Covid safety protocols.
Read: By-elections: 94 aspirants collect nomination papers from the Awami League
Twenty-five chairman candidates, 401 member contenders, 112 female candidates (reserved seats) are contesting the election.
BGB, Ansar and Coast Guard personnel alongside police are performing election duties to maintain the law and order.
Two die after inhaling toxic gas inside septic tank in Bhola
Two workers died while three others fell sick after inhaling toxic gas inside a septic tank in the East Ilisha area of Bhola's Sadar upazila on Saturday morning.
The deceased have been identified as Abdul Malek, 45, and Jashim, 40.
Local people said the five workers had only built the septic tank in the house of Nirob Bulai in the Ponditer Pole area of East Ilisha a month ago.
On Saturday morning, Abdul went to Nirob's house to inspect the newly built septic tank.
READ: 2 die in Kushtia after inhaling toxic gas inside septic tank
Abdul first got down into the septic tank. When he failed to return, the others entered inside to check on him.
Later local people rescued all the five and rushed them to Sadar Hospital, where doctors declared Abdul and Jashim dead, said medical officer Dr Amanullah.
READ: Youth’s body recovered from septic tank in Feni
Kabir and Shahabuddin are recuperating at the hospital, while Nabi has been released after first aid, the doctor said.
Cyclone Yaas disrupts normal life in 23 chars of Bhola
At least 11,309 family’s lives have become disrupted as cyclone Yaas damaged 23 chars of coastal district Bhola.
District’s relief and rehabilitation officer, Md. Motahar Hossain told UNB at least 1, 70,000 people have been affected by the cyclone.
Meanwhile primary data says, 659 villages of 51 union of the island district have been affected.
Of them 3,579 families are homeless now and 7,370 are facing partial damage.
People of several chars like Dhal char, char Kukri-Mukri, Char Nizam, Kolatolir char, char Jahiruddin, Madanpur, Neyamatpur, Majher char and Rajapur are passing their days in extreme condition.
Also read: Two Satkhira unions bear the brunt of Yaas
However, around 200 thousand people who have been directly affected by the cyclone are yet to receive any significant aid other than dry foods.
In 50 places, 16 protective dams of the flood control dam have been destroyed.
Until Friday, the level of tidal water had lowered but clogged saline water in water bodies made fresh water and cow food scarce. This resulted in a plague of domestic animals in the char region.
District’s livestock Officer Indrajit Kumar said, death of 134 animals have been reported till Saturday.
In southern char areas buffalos are being infected with many diseases but our team is providing necessary treatments, he said.
There is no lack of relief as district administration already provided tin and financial assistance to those who have become completely homeless, said relief and rehabilitation officer, Md. Motahar Hossain.
“Affected are being listed, they will soon be rehabilitated,” he said.
Meanwhile, the restoration work of critically damaged dams to block tidal waves has already started, said Md. Hasanujjaman, executive engineer of Bhola Water Development Board.
Cyclone 'Yaas': 1 killed, low-lying areas inundated in Bhola
A man was killed as a three branch fell on him during a storm triggered by cyclone Yaas in Lalmohan upazila of Bhola district on Tuesday.
The deceased was identified as Abu Taher (48), a farmer of the upazila.
Read:Cyclone Yaas makes landfall in eastern India
Bhola Deputy Commissioner Md. Tawfiq E-Lahi Chowdhury said cash Tk 20,000 has been provided to the family of the deceased.
The coastal island has been experiencing drizzle and strong wind since Wednesday morning due to Cyclone 'Yaas' that made a landfall in India’s Odisha.
According to Bhola meteorological office, wind is blowing at speed of 16 kilometer per hour and 15.4 mm of rainfall has been recorded in the last 24 hours.
About 50 low-lying areas including Monpura, Dhal Char of Charfason, Kukuri Mukri, Charnijam, Char Zahiruddin, Majher Char, Madanpur have been inundated as the Meghna River swelled on Tuesday night under the influence of Cyclone 'Yaas'.
Abdus Salam, chairman of Sagar Mohna Dhal Char Union, said 700/800 houses in his union were damaged. Numerous fish in ponds have been washed away.
Read:Cyclone Yaas: Low-lying districts flooded as water level rises
Besides, 17 spots on the embankment of the Water Development Board have been damaged due to tidal surge
Babul Akhter, supervising engineer of the Bhola Water Development Board, said the Meghna River was flowing 54 cm above the danger level last night. Repair work of the damaged embankment has already been started, he added.